Houston Defender: April 23, 2015 by Defender Media Group |DefenderNetwork

YATES HIGH SCHOOL’S L.C. WILSON IS TRACK AND FIELD STANDOUT, P9

HS ZONE

defendernetwork.com

facebook.com/DefenderNetwork twitter.com/DefenderNetwork

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 84 | Number 21

APRIL 23, 2015 |FREE

www.defendernetwork.com

NEWSTALK

Financial Edition

MAYOR ANNISE PARKER gives state of Houston

How to stop living

PAYCHECK

P2 FEATURE

RICK LOWE receives new title, honor

PAYCHECK

H PAGE 1B

SPORTS CEDRIC OGBUEHI anticipates NFL draft

P8 TOP EVENTS

Clyde and Tonya Drexler at Memorial Hermann Foundation Circle of Life Gala

P11

Dr. George Wright partners with HISD

ReShonda Billingsley

Prairie View A&M University President Dr. George Wright is pleased with a new partnership between PVAMU and HISD. See what the partnership represents. Discover how high school students will be better prepared for wellpaying, high-demand jobs.

Best-selling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley of Houston has landed another movie deal, this time for two of her books. Hear what Billingsley has to say about the projects. Read about the network behind the movies and its other Houston connection.

gets movie deal

H PAGE 2

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

H PAGE 5

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

newstalk

PVAMU President Dr. George Wright talks about the partnership with HISD.

PVAMU, HISD form nursing partnership HISD and Prairie View A&M University announced a new registered nursing pathway for students of Jones Futures Academy. The partnership will allow students in the existing Allied Health program at Jones to take college level anatomy and physiology and medical terminology courses that directly align with PVAMU’s nursing degree plan. The Jones Futures Academy is one of eight HISD academies that allow students to receive college credit, career training, and industry credentials to provide them with options for a promising future after completing high school. Students at Jones will be able to earn free college credit and complete their bachelor’s degree in nursing after graduation in just two to three years as opposed to the standard four and a half. “We truly believe that this partnership is a shin-

ing example of the power and significance of what the entire educational community can do when it invests in our children’s future and opportunities,” said PVAMU President George Wright. HISD Futures Academy Assistant Superintendent Michael Love said Houston expects to see tremendous job growth in nursing over the next 10 years. “We want to ensure our students are skilled and prepared to work in such a high-demand and well-paying job field,” Love said. Currently, students in Jones’ Allied Health program have the opportunity to graduate high school with an associate’s degree and certification as a licensed vocational nurse. Starting this fall, all 90 students in the program will spend half of their day taking courses that are directly aligned with Prairie View’s registered nursing program.

defendernetwork.com

Parker gives last State of the City Mayor Annise Parker delivered her last annual State of the City address to the Greater Houston Partnership. “This is a bittersweet occasion, Parker said. “It is a time to celebrate our accomplishments. But it is also a reminder that time is running out to do more. I love this city! I love the people who live here and that love has been the driving force behind every decision I’ve made.” Parker said she has been a mayor who always put Houston first and never hesitated to take on difficult issues. She said there is no question the city is better off today than it was five years ago. “The state of our Mayor Annise Parker city is strong,” she said. “Houston is simply not the city it was in the 1980s when the falling price of oil affected all other sectors of the economy.” Accomplishments Parker highlighted in her speech included Hire Houston First, job growth, record economic development, a revitalized convention center district, the lowest crime rate in decades, park improvements and demolition of abandoned properties. Parker also detailed what she would like to see from the person who will replace her. She said among other things, Houston needs a mayor who will fight hard to maintain Houston as a national and world leader, recognizes the importance of providing opportunity in poor and minority neighborhoods and tackles hard problems head on.

localbriefs A BILL ALLOWING GUN OWNERS with concealed weapons licenses to carry their side arms openly was passed by the Texas House of Representatives. House Bill 910 passed by a vote of 101-42. Similar legislation already passed the Senate, and Gov. Gregg Abbott said he would sign open carry legislation. ……..BLUE BELL ICE CREAM of Brenham is voluntarily recalling all of its products currently on the market in 23 states because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others

with weakened immune systems. The outbreak has killed three people and hospitalized seven others. The CDC said that genetic tests link Listeria bacteria from two separate Blue Bell factories to at least six cases of listeriosis dating back to 2010 …….. WELLS FARGO WILL HOST a Teen Financial Education Day at all of its banking locations in Texas on Saturday, April 25. The event will help educate students and their parents about the importance of money management, establishing credit and preparing to pay for college. Teens and parents visiting banking locations will find seminars on budgeting, saving and managing money using the Hands on Banking

curriculum, overviews of the Get College Ready website and 2014 CollegeSTEPS magazine, and resource guides on planning for college and financial aid........PROPERTY TAX WORKSHOPS will be held to educate Harris County property owners on ways to reduce their tax burden. Staff from the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office and the Harris County Appraisal District will be available to answer questions. Workshops will be held Monday, April 27 to Thursday, May 21 at various locations. For more information visit www.hcad.org, call 713-274-8000 or email tax.office@hctx.net. The last day to file a property tax protest is June 1.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs BEN CARSON will announce whether he’s running for president on May 4 in Detroit. Carson, a Republican, is a retired neurosurgeon and author. His beliefs and background are included on his “exploratory committee” website. “If I believe that I have your support and your commitment to help, I will run for president to lead this great country to a brighter future,” he said on the website. Spokesperson Deana Bass said Carson is undecided. “He will make an announcement. But he’s still very much in the exploratory phase, so he hasn’t made a decision yet,” she said. GOP Senators Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida have already announced their candidacies, as has Democrat Hilary Clinton……..CIVIL RIGHTS VETERAN Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery said he is “heartbroken” by the sentencing of Atlanta teachers found guilty of racketeering earlier this month. “The teachers’ behavior was unacceptable without a doubt,” Lowery said. “But ‘racketeering’ had no business in this equation. When we think of [racketeers] we think of gangsters, mobsters, gamblers and hardcore criminals. We do not think of teachers. We do not think of the Atlanta Public School system. And we shouldn’t. Teachers have always been the bedrock of our community.” Lowery, 93, joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others in organizing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957……..THE WHITE HOUSE has a new social secretary. She is Deesha Dyer, a former hip-hop journalist and White House intern. She previously served as deputy social secretary. “Deesha shares our commitment to a White House that reflects America’s history, highlights our culture, and celebrates all Americans,” President Obama said. “Michelle and I look forward to working with her in this new role as we welcome visitors from across the country and around the world to the people’s house.”

VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 21 APRIL 23 2015

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall

Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

Blacks seek answers in Baltimore man’s death

esidents of Baltimore – including the mayor and police commissioner – are seeking answers in the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Black man. Gray died on April 19, a week after he was arrested by Baltimore police. Gray died of a spinal injury sustained while in custody. Six police officers were suspended because of the incident and the department said it will continue to investigate what happened to Gray during the 30-minute ride in a police van. The department also said Gray asked for medical help while in the van but paramedBaltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake discuss ics weren’t called until later, the mysterious death of a Black man in police custody. when he was critically injured. for accountability,” she said. A bystander’s video of the arrest Court documents show that Gray was arrested showed police putting Gray in the van, but did not “without force or incident” at a complex in West show what happened before or after. Baltimore after an officer found a knife on him. Gray Demonstrations began outside the police departwas placed in leg irons after an officer said he was ment following Gray’s death and protesters called for becoming “irate” in the back of the van. justice in his name. Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said the “I understand the community’s frustration,” said investigation into the case will be completed by May Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “I understand it 1, and the results will be forwarded to the state atbecause I’m frustrated. I’m angry that we are here torney’s office to determine if criminal charges will again, that we have had to tell another mother that be filed. their child is dead. I’m frustrated that not only that Last October, the Justice Department announced we’re here, but we don’t have all of the answers. it would review the Baltimore Police Department’s “I want to know why the officers pursued Mr. policies and practices regarding use of force, a move Gray. I want to know if the proper procedures were requested by Batts and Rawlings-Blake. followed. I want to know what steps need to be taken

Wage gap can be closed for Black women NNPA News Service

A new report by the Center for American Progress on the race and gender wage gap said that expanding certain policies would help women of color in the labor market and protect them from racial and gender discrimination. According to the report, Black women working full time earned just 64 cents for every dollar white men made in 2013. Although white women working full time also earned less than white men (78 cents for every dollar), women of color often earned even less because they were stuck in low-paying jobs, worked fewer

hours and had greater responsibilities as the primary caregiver in their households. Women of color are also less likely to graduate from high school or attend college than white women. Solutions to the problem include increasing paid family, medical leave and paid sick days, and strengthening equal pay laws. Public policy alone, however, will not close the wage gap. “The United States needs to address both the structural drivers behind the pay gap and the persistent cultural biases against women and people of color if it wants to truly affect change for these populations,” the report stated.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015 defendernetwork.com

Lowe receives new title, honor Project Row Houses founder Rick Lowe has a new title – founding director. The shift in organizational leadership comes on the heels of Lowe’s appointment by President Obama to the National Council on the Arts and his entrance into the 2014 class of MacArthur Fellows. After 20 years of working with PRH and community arts organizations across the globe, Lowe threw his hat in the ring to officially lead the organization that he started with six other artists in 1993. “Rick feels, and the board of directors agrees, that he is well-poised in his career to really use his recognition and reputation to take PRH into the next chapter of its history,” said Board President Andrew Speckhard. To assist Lowe in his new role, PRH named Eureka Gilkey as executive director. In addition, Lowe and the Robert A. Welch Foundation each will receive the University of Houston President’s Medallion during May 15 commencement ceremonies at TDECU Stadium. “I look forward to awarding the President’s Medallion to these longtime friends of the university,” said UH President Renu Khator. “…Mr. Lowe’s community contributions and the Welch Foundation’s dedication to higher education will be honored in what will be a historic ceremony for the university.”

Rick Lowe

Hunter comes to Houston Windsor Village Church Family Women’s Ministries will host a Mother’s Day experience, “An Evening with Stellar Award Winner and Radio One Personality Lonnie Hunter.” It will be held Friday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Power Center, 12401 S. Post Oak. Dinner is included and women of all ages are encouraged to attend. Hunter is the host of a syndicated show heard daily on Radio One stations across the country. He won a Stellar Award for Announcer of the Year and was nominated for his CD “I’m Back,” featuring the singles “Anyway” and the title track. Tickets are $30 per person and are available online at kingdombuilders.com or at the KBC, 6011 West Orem, during regular office hours. For more information call 713-723-8187.

Lonnie Hunter

Travel On-Demand • Personalized Service WINDING BAYOU TRAIL

ELLA

BLUE BELL RD

DEER TRAIL

RA L IA

OR W MOUNT HOUSTON

HELMS

108

ELLA

108

GULF BANK 108

ER Y

W LITTLE YORK

79 40

@metrohouston

NORTH SHEPHERD PARK & RIDE LOT (66, 79, 108)

E LITTLE YORK 66

108

AIRLINE

ACRES HOMES TRANSIT CENTER (40, 44, 64, 79)

VICTORY

KNOX

DEPRIEST

E LIN

56 AIR

108

66 DEWALT

N SHEPHERD

HAMPTON 64

BECKLEY

ALDINE MAIL

LAWN

facebook.com/ridemetro

ridemetro.org

Learn more about the new METRO Community Connector at RideMETRO.org, or call 713-695-4570 to make your reservation.

T RD

WES

WALMART

WEST RD

LIN AIR

Now you can travel to ANY destination within the outlined zone for just $1.25 each way!

W DYNA

108

Let us pick you up! Introducing personalized, door-to-destination bus service that comes direct to you! The new METRO Community Connector bus service operates exclusively within a “zone,” offering expanded service from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week!

GREENS LANDING

LILLJA

COMMUNITY CONNECTOR

ROO

B FALL

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

entertainment

ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Two of author’s books become movies

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

V One recently announced that two books written by best-selling Houston author ReShonda Tate Billingsley will become television movies for the 2015-2016 schedule. The books are “The Secret She Kept” and “The Devil is a Lie.” Billingsley, who is the Defender’s online editor, has written more than 35 books. She won an NAACP Image Award for “Say Amen, Again,” and was nominated again for “The Secret She Kept.” In 2014, Billingsley and author Victoria Christopher Murray launched Brown Girls Publishing, a boutique publishing company. TV One will air the movies based on Billingsley’s books in fall 2016. Filming will be in Atlanta. In a Q&A with the Defender, she discussed the projects. Defender: How does it feel to know that you will have two more books made into a movie? Billingsley: Billingsley: It’s an awesome feeling. I am honored and blessed to be on Hollywood’s radar and to actually have people want to see my work on the screen. I’m especially proud to be coming into TV One under the reigns of Houston’s own, D’Angela Proctor, the senior vice president of Original Programming and Production. She is committed to bringing a slate of original programs to the network, and I’m thrilled to be in the mix.

Defender: What are the storylines for the two books. Billingsley: “The Secret She Kept” is a story that’s near and dear to my heart. It’s about a woman who meets and marries the man of her dreams but she and her family fail to tell him that she has severe bipolar disorder. It tackles mental illness and how many in the Black community just brush it under the rug. The second book, “The Devil is A Lie,” is about a woman who wins the Texas Lottery, but when she goes to claim her winnings, her ex-husband shows up and informs her that their divorce was never finalized and he and the woman he left her for want half. Defender: How will the cast and crew of each film be

decided? Are their any actors or actresses you would like to see in either film? Billingsley: TV One will do the casting. I will have a cameo in each film. I don’t have any actors in mind because I’ve learned from “Let the Church Say Amen” that the actor you least expect can do the most phenomenal job. Defender: What is the status of “Let the Church Say Amen,” your first book-to-film? Billingsley: “Let the Church Say Amen” has already been made into a movie, directed by Regina King and produced by Queen Latifah’s Flava Unit, Royal Ties Productions and Bobcat Films. The movie will be released this summer, then will air on BET in the fall.

what’sup BOBBY BROWN’S lawyer released a statement clarifying Brown’s remarks about his daughter, BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN. During a recent concert in Dallas, Brown told audience members that his daughter was awake and “watching me.” Brown’s lawyer, Christopher Brown, said: “Bobbi Kristina’s condition has changed since moving from Emory University Hospital and there has been improvement. Doctors have indicated that she will have a long life. However, Bobbi Kristina is presently embarking on a rehabilitation process and the quality of her life will not be known for years to come.” Bobbi Kristina was found face down and

unresponsive in a tub on Jan. 21…….KANYE WEST, KIM KARDASHIAN, KEVIN HART and director LEE DANIELS are among the celebrities named to Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people……..Gospel music filled the air at the White House during a concert in the East Room. President BARAK OBAMA and First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA welcomed such artists as SHIRLEY CAESAR, DARLENE LOVE, RANCE ALLEN and TAMELA MANN. “Tonight, we continue one of my favorite traditions here at the White House by celebrating the music that has helped to shape our nation,” Obama said. “Over the years, we’ve

had the quintessential sounds of America fill this room, from jazz to Motown, to blues, to country. So it is fitting that, tonight, we honor the music that influenced all those genres – gospel,” he said……..Comedian and Oscar-winning actress MO’NIQUE returns to the screen with the release of the film “Blackbird,” which hits theaters April 24. She portrays the mother of a young man trying to come to terms with his sexuality. Mo’Nique will also portray the late blues singer MA RAINEY in HBO’s “Bessie,” which airs May 16 at 7 p.m. QUEEN LATIFAH portrays BESSIE SMITH in the title role. Other stars include MIKE EPPS and KHANDI ALEXANDER.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

opinion Republican budget

winners and losers By MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN NNPA Columnist

n the House and Senate budget proposals for fiscal year 2016, passed recently with only Republican votes, there are big winners and big losers. The big winners are defense spending and contractors and very wealthy people and powerful special interests. The big losers are children, our poorest group in America, and struggling low- and middle-income families trying to stay afloat in our economy. Let’s look at the details. Big winners: Defense spending and contractors. The House and Senate Republican budgets add $38 billion more in defense spending above the Pentagon’s request in fiscal year 2016. Instead of being up front and including it in the regular defense department budget, it was added to a catch-all war fund not subject to budget caps. This is a budget gimmick some conservatives have decried as deceptive and fiscally irresponsible. The $38 billion additional defense spending could provide 2.5 million subsidized jobs to poor families with children lifting 1.2 million children from poverty and double the Head Start program, which serves only 40 percent of children who need it, for one year. Big winners: Very wealthy people. People making more than $1 million a year would get a $50,000 average tax cut from the repeal of the Affordable Care

Act (ACA) and the Alternative Minimum Tax in the House budget. The Senate budget includes a last-minute amendment to repeal the estate tax, which benefits only the wealthiest 0.2 percent of Americans with estates worth more than $5.4 million for an individual or $10.9 million for a couple. Big losers: Vulnerable children and families. Under the guise of balancing the budget and cutting the deficit, recklessly unjust massive cuts of more than $3 trillion over 10 years will undermine lifelines of stability and hope. The House and Senate Republican budgets will cut programs for those who need help most and increase government welfare for those who need help least.

Big losers: The millions benefiting from the ACA, Medicaid and CHIP. Both Republican budgets seek to repeal the ACA, which prohibits discrimination against 129 million children and adults with pre-existing health conditions, helps more than 5 million uninsured 18-26 year olds now covered under parental insurance plans, and extends coverage for some foster care youths to age 26. More than 10 million near poor adults will lose Medicaid coverage received under ACA. The House budget also proposes to block grant Medicaid, merge the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) into it, and make deep cuts that will reverse the progress made in reducing the rate of uninsured children by almost half since the late 1990s. Biggest losers: America’s future. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said in 1967 that “we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values…A true revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth.” How disappointed he would be to see us continue to take from the poor to give to the rich, the rising and huge wealth and income inequality gaps, the bloated military budgets and 45 million poor Americans – including 14.7 million poor children – in our midst. I hope every American will break their silence and demand better leadership with just treatment of the most vulnerable among us.

Congratulations to author ReShonda Tate Billingsley The Defender is proud to recognize author ReShonda Tate Billingsley for another wonderful achievement. The rights to two of her books have been acquired by TV One, and will become movies that will air in 2016. ReShonda is one of the nation’s most prolific inspirational fiction authors. Her stories encourage and entertain countless readers, who can relate to her characters’ triumphs and tribulations, strengths and weaknesses. She has written more than 35 books, including fiction for teens and non-fiction. She is a poet and sought-after speaker and ghostwriter. She is an entrepreneur as well, and co-founded the publishing company Brown Girls Publishing. Her success

did not come overnight, and is the result of years of hard work. ReShonda, who is currently the Defender online editor, joined our newspaper family in the early ‘90s after earning a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Texas. As a reporter, she demonstrated the professionalism and determination that have served her well over the years. She became lead editor for the Campus Defender, and shared her knowledge with local high school students. She eventually branched out into TV news, and worked as a reporter for NBC, ABC and FOX television stations in Houston, Beaumont and Oklahoma City. While working in Oklahoma she taught broadcast journalism at Langston University.

ReShonda’s life changed forever when she wrote her first novel, “My Brother’s Keeper.” After receiving numerous rejections from publishers, she stepped out on faith, established her own publishing company and released her novel. It was eventually picked up by publisher Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books and she remains one of their top AfricanAmerican authors. Though she wears many hats, she cherishes her role as a wife and mother of three children. We applaud ReShonda’s accomplishments and know it hasn’t been easy. There have been stumbling blocks and disappointments along the way, but she has prevailed. We wish her continued success in the future.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

FINANCIAL

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

Special Edition

Benefits of

ownership You have the opportunity to create equity, stability. Owning your own home may be a great way to create equity for the future and provide stability and security for you and your family (provided you stay in it for a number of years and home prices remain relatively stable). You may have some tax benefits. You may be able to deduct the interest on your mortgage and property taxes. These tax savings may offset a portion of the cost of owning your home. Your monthly payments will remain stable. With fixed-rate mortgages, your monthly payment will stay the same for the entire period of the loan, making it easier to plan and budget – whereas rental rates rise over time. (Remember that if your real estate taxes or hazard insurance premiums go up, your escrow will go up – increasing your monthly payment.) You can create the home you want. You will have a place that is uniquely “yours” that you can customize, from paint colors to major remodeling projects. Source: Freddie Mac

Homeownership can

increase Black wealth NNPA News Service

Researchers studying the effects of public policy on the racial wealth gap estimate that the median wealth of Black households would rise 451 percent if Blacks owned homes at the same rates as whites. The report was released by the public policy group Demos and the Institute on Assets and Social Policy (IASP). “With policies that advance the rate of Black and Latino homeownership to the same rate as white households, Black median wealth would more than quadruple and Latino media wealth would more than triple,” said Catherine Ruetschlin, a senior policy analyst at Demos. According to the report, the median Black household had $7,113 in wealth holdings, compared to the median white household, which had $111,146 in wealth holdings. “Black households hold only 6 percent of the wealth owned by white households, which amounts to a total wealth gap of $104,033, and Latino households hold only

8 percent of the wealth owned by white households, a wealth gap of $102,798,” stated the report. “In other words, a typical white family owns $15.63 for every $1 owned by a typical Black family and $13.33 for every $1 owned by a typical Latino family.” Thomas Shapiro, the director at IASP, said that the racial wealth gap is one of the most critical issues facing the United States. He said home ownership can help. “Homeownership is the largest reservoir of wealth and financial stability that American families have,” Shapiro said. “It’s just that it is so inequitably distributed at this point in time in the value of wealth that it creates.” With the creation of the Federal Housing Administration in 1934, the United States government sanctioned lenders to use “redlining” to systematically deny Blacks access to that reservoir of wealth for decades. “While redlining was officially outlawed by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, its impact in the form of residential segregation patterns persists with households of color more likely to live in neighborhoods characterized by

“Homeownership is the largest reservoir of wealth and financial stability that American families have.”

higher poverty rates, lower home values, and a declining infrastructure compared to neighborhoods inhabited predominantly by white residents,” stated the report. “Discriminatory lending practices persist to this day. When households of color access mortgages, they are more often underwritten by higher interest rates,” the report continued. “We know that lower-income homeowners can afford homes, stay in their homes and not be subject to foreclosure, if they have safe, traditional mortgages,” said Tamara Draut, vice president of policy and research at Demos. “The defamation of wealth and the resulting foreclosures were really due to the aggressive marketing and selling of toxic mortgages to communities of color that directly put their homeownership status in danger.” In order to close the wealth gap, Ruetschlin said that policies that perpetuate differences in homeownership rates and returns should be changed. The report recommended stricter enforcement of housing anti-discrimination laws, authorizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make it easier for struggling homeowners to modify loans and lowering the cap on the mortgage interest tax deduction.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

Table of Contents

Irregular income?

Manage money better

f you’re a solo entrepreneur, dealing with an inconsistent income is one of the hardest and most stressful aspects. One minute it’s a feast, next a famine, and it’s hard to predict which is coming next. While an unpredictable income might not ever go away, according to the SBA, there are ways you can better cope with the highs and lows. Keep personal and business finances separate. Maintaining a separate bank account for your personal expenses and business finances is essential. Not only does it make record keeping and tax preparation a lot easier, it also helps you manage and arrange your finances. If you have an online accounting system in place, you can also sync your business bank account with it and automatically import and track expense transactions, providing a dashboard view of your cash flow. Draw a salary. Once you have your business account set up, make a habit of drawing funds from it on a scheduled basis, much like claiming a salary. Perhaps once a week or twice a month, transfer funds into your checking account to pay your personal bills. How much you draw depends on your household budget, but a good rule of thumb is to calculate the bare minimum amount you need to pay off your personal expenses and other non-business obligations, like health insurance.

Set money aside for lean months. If you do land a windfall client, set aside the money in your savings account (not your personal checking account) so that you can draw on those funds to help tide you over (and alleviate stress) during lean months. You will pay your bills from your personal checking account, deposit payments from clients into your business account and use a separate savings account to deposit whatever’s left over after you’ve paid yourself a salary. Get an idea of your trending income. Predicting cash flow isn’t easy when you don’t know where your next client or project is coming from. However, historical analysis should give you some idea of what your average income is over 12-24 months and give you a better sense of the levels of income that you need to maintain moving forward. If your baseline income tracks lower than your personal budget, consider cutting expenses or finding new business.

defendernetwork.com

Safe mobile banking: Protect yourself

Prepaid debit card users lack protection

BB&T Bank

Mortgage options to meet your needs BBVA Compass Bank

A commitment to diversity and growth

4B 6B

Wells Fargo Bank

Steps to securing financial aid for college 8B Stop living paycheck to paycheck Capital One Bank

Ensure your children stay fiscally fit

10B 12B

Cadence Bank

Establish, maintain and protect good credit 14B Amegy Bank

Consider SBA lending for a loan

16B

Know the facts about life insurance

18B

JP Morgan Chase Bank

Digital banking transforms industry Allegiance Bank

19B

A focus on church lending

20B

Five spending tips for tax refunds

22B

Older adults beware of scam artists

23B

Message from the Publisher

Take control of your finances

o you feel like your finances are out of control? Are you tired of living from paycheck to paycheck? Then this special edition is for you. Once again, the Defender is pleased to provide our readers with information on something that affects us all – money. Whether you earn $20,000 a year or $200,000 a year, worrying about money is a terrible feeling, especially if you keeping asking yourself, “How will I make ends meet after paying my rent or my mortgage?” Or, “How can I get these creditors off my back?” Or, “Why can’t I save any money?”

In this edition, financial experts share their extensive knowledge. They talk about the signs that indicate you’re in trouble. They discuss the importance of home ownership. They give you tips on saving money. Also in this edition, you will find important information from our partners, who we would like to thank for their contributions and caring enough about educating our readers. They are: Allegiance Bank, Amegy Bank, BB&T Bank, BBVA Compass Bank, Cadence Bank, Capital One Bank, JP Morgan Chase Bank and Wells Fargo Bank. So make a vow to be fiscally fit, starting today. You and your family will be glad that you did.

Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

FINANCIAL

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

Safe mobile banking:

Protect yourself

sing a smartphone, tablet computer or other mobile device to manage your finances can be convenient and help you monitor your money from practically anywhere. At the same time, it’s important to take steps to protect your account information. Here are some tips from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Be proactive in securing the mobile device. Depending on what security options are available on your device, create a “strong” password (consisting of unusual combinations of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols) or PIN (with random numbers instead of, say, 1234 or the last four digits of your Social Security number) and periodically change it. Never leave your mobile device unattended. And make sure you enable the “time-out” or “auto-lock” feature that secures your mobile device when it is left unused for a certain period of time. Be careful about where and how you conduct transactions. Don’t use an unsecured Wi-Fi net-

work, such as those found at coffee shops, because fraud artists might be able to access the information you are transmitting or viewing. Also, don’t send account numbers or other sensitive information through regular e-mails or text messages because those are not necessarily secure. Take additional precautions in case your

device is lost or stolen. Check with your wireless provider in advance to find out about features that enable you to remotely erase content or turn off access to your device or account if you lose your phone. Quickly contact your financial services providers to let them know about the loss or theft of your device. Research any app before downloading it. Just because the name of an app resembles the name of your bank — or of another company you’re familiar with — don’t assume that it is the official one of that bank or company. It could be a fraudulent app designed to trick users into believing that the service is legitimate. The best place to download an app is from the official website of the bank or company that you are doing business with or from a legitimate app store. Beware of unsolicited e-mails or text messages appearing to link to a financial institution’s website. Those could be “phishing” messages containing some sort of urgent request (such as a warning that you need to “verify” bank account or other personal information) or an amazing offer (one that is “too good to be true”) designed to lead you to a fake website controlled by thieves.

Prepaid card users lack protection NNPA News Service

From mortgages to checking accounts, credit cards and more, regulations for these products establish the “rules of the road” for consumers and creditors alike. Yet one financial product with growing popularity has no comparable consumer protection – prepaid cards. For example, if a consumer has an account with a bank or credit union, their monies are federally-insured by the FDIC up to $250,000. Even when employers use prepaid cards for payrolls or when government benefits are issued on these cards, consumer protections are lacking. With each card issuer also setting its fee schedule and assessments, multiple added costs for usage can widely vary. Fees can include some or all of the following typical transactions: ATM cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, bill payments, card cancellation, inactivity, monthly usage, replacement of lost or stolen cards, and overdraft fees. According to FDIC, the largest users of prepaid cards include 25 million unbanked consumers and an

additional 68 million who are underbanked, preferring these cards or other alternative financial services to traditional institutions. The term “unbanked” describes consumers who have no existing relationship with a traditional financial institution such as a bank or credit union. Unbanked and underbanked consumers are also disproportionately consumers of color – Black, Latino and Native American. The combination of growing prepaid usage and lack of financial regulation has caught the attention of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). In remarks before a No-

vember 2014 field hearing, Richard Cordray, CFPB director, stated the agency’s concerns. “Many of these prepaid [card] consumers are living paycheck to paycheck, and are engaged in a constant battle to make ends meet,” Cordray said. “They are some of the most economically vulnerable among us, and most of them have no idea that the prepaid cards they choose to purchase are largely unregulated at the federal level and carry few if any protections under federal consumer financial law.” To remedy this regulatory gap, CFPB has proposed rules for prepaid cards that would increase the consistency and clarity around the product. Key requirements that CFPB is proposing include: • Provide public disclosure of applicable fees in a uniform format. • Provide better access to balances, customer service account transactions and other information. • Require basic protections from fraud for both prepaid cards and mobile versions. • Establish limits on overdraft fees on all prepaid cards.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

Addressing your mortgage needs By BB&T BANK

hether you are a firsttime homebuyer, a seasoned homeowner or somewhere in between, your needs are unique. Partnering with a dedicated and experienced mortgage lending professional from BB&T ensures you find the right loan to match your needs. You can trust BB&T to provide the most appropriate financing options, expert advice and superior client service to make the loan process flow smoothly. BB&T’s Home Mortgage vision is to be the best home Kathryn Jones-Hunter Marcus Doaks lender guided by integrity, fairness, Builders Association (GHBA). and caring enthusiasm. “Kathryn and BB&T are my go-to mortgage Your home is one of the most important inbankers,” said Nancy Furst, president of HAR.” vestments you can make, and our mortgage loan Kathryn is available, answers her phone immediprofessionals are committed to guiding you and ately, and is by far the most knowledgeable resihelping you close your loan efficiently. dential mortgage banker I have encountered in the Kathryn Jones-Hunter and Marcus Doaks are past 10 years. She knows her products, the market, two of our highly skilled mortgage officers with and understands the “fine-line” relationship for the proven track records of success in serving clients consumer between lenders and realtors.” in our Houston market. They are both actively BB&T Mortgage clients can access their acinvolved in the community and committed to counts from anywhere by secured Internet access providing home buying education and counseling to BBT.com. Another advantage of working with to consumers. BB&T is we typically retain the servicing of our BB&T is a proud member of Houston Assomortgages to allow clients the convenience of ciation of Realtors (HAR), National Association making payments through several different chanof Hispanic Real Estate Professionals – Houston nels including visiting our local BB&T financial (NAHREP Houston), Houston Black Real Estate centers. Association (HBREA) and the Greater Houston

BB&T is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with $186.8 billion in assets and market capitalization of $28.0 billion, as of Dec. 31, 2014. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the company operates 1,880 financial centers in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and offers a full range of consumer and commercial banking, securities brokerage, asset management, mortgage and insurance products and services. BB&T Corporation has completed its acquisition of 41 branches in Texas from Citibank. These branches officially opened as BB&T on March 23, 2015 making BB&T the 14th largest bank in Texas with approximately 121 branches and $5.1 billion in deposits. “We are excited about the completion of this important transaction and look forward to making BB&T’s unique brand of client service even more accessible to our Texas clients and prospects,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kelly S. King. “The BB&T brand in Texas has grown dramatically in just a few years, and we are committed to the communities and clients in these markets. This transaction represents a strategically compelling addition to the 21 branches we acquired in June 2014.” Branch Banking and Trust Company, Member of FDIC. All loans subject to credit approval. Equal Housing Lender. © 2015, Branch Banking & Trust. All rights reserved.

Kathryn and Marcus welcome the opportunity to discuss BB&T’s financing options: Fixed-Rate Mortgages n Variety of fixed-rate loan terms available n Fixed payment for the life of the loan n Jumbo financing available Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs)

n Lower initial monthly payments for a specified

period n Annual and life-rate caps to limit interest rate movement n Jumbo financing available Veterans Administration (VA) Mortgages

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Mortgages n Lower down payment requirements n Gift funds allowed n Not restricted to first-time homebuyers Low-Down-Payment and First-Time Homebuyer Mortgages n Little or no down payment required n Gift funds allowed n Down payment assistance allowed n Rural financing available

Construction-to-Permanent Mortgages n One loan covering the entire homebuilding process, from groundbreaking to housewarming n Only one set of closing costs n Jumbo financing available Physician Loan Program BB&T’s Physician Loan Program is designed for current medical intern/ residents/fellows and licensed physicians who have completed their residency or fellowship within the last 10 years.

n Available to active and retired military personnel

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

Local Lenders. National Strength. For more than 140 years, BB&T’s local approach to banking has

BB&T Home Mortgages

kept us close to our clients and the communities we serve. Our

Fixed and Adjustable Rate

lenders understand the nuances of the local market, which helps

Jumbo

make buying a home a little easier. Experience the difference

FHA and VA

with a local lender backed by the resources of one of the nation’s

State/Rural Housing

largest financial institutions. BBT.com/Mortgage

Construction-to-Permanent

B A N K I N G

I N S U R A N C E

I N V E S T M E N T S

Branch Banking and Trust Company is a Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Loans are subject to credit approval. Only deposit products are FDIC insured. © 2015, Branch Banking and Trust Company. All rights reserved.

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

A commitment to

diversity and growth

By BBVA COMPASS

BVA Compass is ramping up its recruiting efforts in the Bayou City, using its reputation as an innovative company with global resources to draw top talent in the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the U.S. To court prospects, the bank is providing unique career opportunities and heavily recruiting mortgage banking officers so that it can better serve its diverse communities. “Attracting diverse mortgage talent is a top priority for the bank,” said Joe Perez, BBVA Compass diversity staff development officer. “We recognize and respect diversity of thought, and believe that varied backgrounds lead to unique ideas.” Recruitment is not limited to mortgage banking officers, however. Career opportunities also exist in: • Retail banking: Branch associate, sales and service advisor • Wealth management : Trust administrator • Commercial banking: Business banking officer, corporate relationship manager • Lending: Indirect loan processor • Financial sales: Financial sales advisor • Operations: Compliance analyst and business process analyst BBVA Compass also appeals to job seekers who are interested in working for a company that is part of a global enterprise. The bank is a subsidiary of BBVA, a global financial services group with a solid position in Spain, the largest financial institution in Mexico and leading franchises in South America. “Working with BBVA means developing your career in one of the most innovative companies in the financial sector,” said BBVA Compass Executive Director of Employment Services Carl Crosby. “We’re a bank that knows that the future is digital and wants to become the best there is. If you are a determined and results-oriented person, you can help us realize this goal.” BBVA Compass, BBVA Securities Inc., and BBVA S.A. New York Branch have a firm and unwavering policy to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, nationality, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition, protected veteran status, or any other status or classification protected by federal, state or local law.

About BBVA Compass

• A Sunbelt-based financial institution that oper-

ates 672 branches, including 341 in Texas. • Fourth-largest bank in Texas. • Fourth-largest bank in Houston, with nearly 1,400 area employees. • Ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share.

Careers at BBVA Compass careers.bbva.com/compass Linkedin www.linkedin.com/company/bbva-compass Twitter - twitter.com/BBVACompassJobs

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

Lending our support. At BBVA Compass, we believe smart mortgage lending helps build strong neighborhoods and communities. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re committed to helping more families achieve the dream of home ownership. 1-800-COMPASS â&#x20AC;˘ bbvacompass.com

Loans subject to program eligibility, collateral, underwriting and approval, including credit approval. BBVA Compass is a trade name of Compass Bank, a member of the BBVA Group. Compass Bank, Member FDIC. Rev. 04/2015 / #2862

2862 - Defender Ad.indd 1

4/10/15 2:34 PM

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

steps to securing financial aid for college

By CARY YATES Wells Fargo

any parents of high school students know that the future will very likely hold a college education for their child. But what is often uncertain is how they will pay for that education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that 60 percent of high school graduates enroll in a college or university for advanced studies. The average price for a four-year degree at a state school during the 2012-13 year was $22,261. It was $43,289 for a private, four-year college, according to the College Board. With these kinds of prices, many families will need financial aid to help cover tuition and room and board costs. Financial aid comes in many different forms. Students can pursue Cary Yates, market growth & development manager, Wells scholarships, fellowships Fargo and grants, which typically don’t require any repayment. Once these options are exhausted, students can also pursue loans. When first reviewing the options for financial aid, it can be overwhelming for students and their parents to comprehend all the options and steps they might need to take to financially plan for college. Wells Fargo Education Financial Services created the Five Steps to Financial Aid video series featuring “Mr. Fellows” to help families navigate the steps to obtaining the needed funds to cover educational expenses beyond high school. These steps include:

1 2

defendernetwork.com

Fill out the FAFSA – This is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and is recommended for all students planning on pursing college, no matter their family income. It is used to determine a student’s eligibility not only for federal student loans, but for work-study aid and some grants. Estimate total cost – Colleges can provide students and their parents with an estimated cost for tuition, as well as room and board each year at the school.

Determine additional expenses – College is more than just class, studying and taking tests. Other expenses like car insurance, gas money, memberships to campus organizations and even paying for a spring break vacation might not be covered by scholarships, grants and fellowships. However, students should apply all financial aid – even scholarships that might not have stipulations of how the money is used – first to educational expenses.

Learn about financing options – Create a list of private loans available through your bank, as well as federal loan options. Compare available loan amounts, interest rates, if payments can be deferred until after the schooling is complete and loan term lengths.

Know deadlines – There are deadlines for submitting the FASFA and for most scholarships. Keep these deadlines on a calendar so nothing gets missed. View the videos at www.WellsFargo.com/fivesteps. Additional information about banking, credit, money management, financial assistance and financial matters connected with post-secondary education can be found at www.wellsfargo.com/collegesteps. Reviewing financial aid options early gives families a chance to best plan financial – and educational – options for their child.

Financial aid comes in many different forms. Students can pursue scholarships, fellowships and grants, which typically don’t require any repayment. Once these options are exhausted, students can also pursue loans.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

58_14561 9.75x13 4C

“My teen is totally ready for the real world.” — Said no parent ever We can take care of that. Bring your teen to Teen Day.

We’ll show them how to save for the things they want and need, how bank accounts work, how to make the most of mobile banking, how to pay for college, and lots more. And we’ll answer all of their, and your, questions. It’s a great way to prepare your teen for the financial realities ahead, so bring your teens to the Wells Fargo location below. We look forward to meeting you.

Join us for Teen Day on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Visit your nearest Wells Fargo location to learn more.

1244558_14561 9.75x13 4C.indd 1

3/27/15 10:50 AM

10B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

Start early

Ensuring fiscally fit children for life

By CAPITAL ONE BANK

apital One Bank is proud to support this special section of the Defender and, through it, provide information to help readers and their families learn and practice effective money management skills. Capital One Bank is committed to educating greater Houston residents, including the city’s youth, in different areas of financial literacy. By increasing their financial education, adults and children alike can have a better understanding of what it takes to stay fiscally fit. Recent studies have shown that teens are more interested in learning how to properly manage their personal finances than ever before. “We all want our children to be physically healthy, but we also want to ensure the vitality of their financial health and future,” says Laurie Vignaud, Senior Director, Community Development Banking, Capital One Bank. “At Capital One Bank, we believe that teaching and incorporating the values of financial literacy to students at an early age will lead to more children practicing smart budgeting, spending and savings habits as they grow up. “Providing individuals with money Laurie Vignaud, Senior Director, Community Development Banking, management tools and resources to help them Capital One Bank prepare and invest for the future is part of Capital One’s new $150 million Future Edge initiative, through which Capital One will collaborate with leading educational and community organizations across the country to address areas of critical need that impact individuals’ current and future ability to grow and prosper in the digital age.” Here are some tips from Capital One Bank to help parents educate their children about managing money effectively and help them achieve financial fitness now and in the future: Encourage your children to embrace the habit of saving. More often than not, high school students receive failing grades in financial literacy, leading to lower rates of savings and retirement planning as adults. From piggy banks to bank accounts, encouraging children to set a savings goal and work towards achieving that goal can not only help address this issue but can also be an invaluable lesson that youth carry with them for the rest of their lives. Help your children set their own financial goals. The earlier children start setting their own goals, the bet-

As part of Capital One Junior Achievement Finance Park, children get a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn about and practice implementing the process of creating and balancing a household budget.

ter off they’ll be in the long run. Focus on short-, midand long-term financial and life goals and discuss types of goals under each category (re: taking a vacation vs. buying a new car vs. getting married or pursuing advanced education). Work with your children to create a realistic budget. A realistic budget can serve as a roadmap for guiding your children to achieving all of their financial goals. As part of Capital One’s JA Finance Park, children get a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn about and practice implementing the process of creating and balancing a household budget. Capital One donated a permanent unit of the award-winning Finance Park to Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas in 2010. Capital One recently worked with Junior Achievement to redevelop the Finance Park program with a digital curriculum and technology. Emphasize the importance of establishing good credit. Despite most people owning both credit and debit cards, recent studies show that many young people do not understand the difference between the two or how their credit history will impact their future. Adding to this is the ever-rising cost of college, which makes learning about credit at an early age even more important. Children will carry these lessons through their young adulthood and utilize them as they manage the process of

paying off loans. Everyone can directly influence the success of our Houston-area schools’ economic and personal finance education programs. If your child’s local school does not offer a personal finance or economics course, reach out to your school district or government official to request these classes become a standard practice and funding be provided.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

11B

Capital OneÂŽ works every day to give back to the communities where we live and work. Through programs that support financial literacy, education and affordable housing, we provide people the tools they need to succeed.

JB132864_Houston Defender_9.75x13.indd 1

facebook.com/capitaloneinvestingforgood

4/10/14 3:10 PM

12B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

How to stop living

paycheck to paycheck Know the signs and misconceptions

The disadvantages

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

f you find yourself living from paycheck to paycheck, you are not alone. According to the Consumer Federation of America, 38 percent of American households are living on the edge financially. The good news is, there are ways to get in better financial shape regardless of your income. To gain insight into this pressing issue, the Defender asked three experts for advice: Algenita Davis, a visiting professor at the Jesse Jones School of Business at Texas Southern University and former banker and tax attorney; Lonnie Mathews, co-founder of Alliance Financial Ministries and author of the books “Spend Everything” and “Beating Debt & Building Wealth; and Sonya Troullier, senior vice president of Wealth Development Strategies and a financial planner and registered investment advisor.

Certain signs

Algenita Davis

Mathews, who cited statistics that say 70 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, said Lonnie Mathews some people are actually unaware of their financial status. “On the surface, you would think that a person would realize when they are in this situation; however, in my years of teaching financial literacy, I have come to understand that sometimes you get use to a life of controlled chaos,” Mathews said. “Signs that you are headed down the wrong path can include feeling uneasy about your finances all the time, constantly borrowing money from friends and relatives to get by, not having any savings for emergencies, and the list goes on.” Sonya Troullier Troullier, who said as many as 75 percent of Americans might be living from paycheck to paycheck, also listed signs of living on the financial edge. “You absolutely have no money left over at the end of the month,” she said. “You are taking money from one account to another account to pay monthly bills. You are using credit cards consistently monthly to survive. You skip paying certain bills each month and tell yourself I will double up next month.” Davis said you’re also in trouble when, “the delay of a paycheck causes delay of bill payment or your savings/retirement accounts are dissolved to pay current bills.” She added that financial difficulties can even lead to “hostility toward family and friends, irrational behavior, desperate selling of assets, reluctance to tithe and a general bad attitude.”

Davis said living paycheck to paycheck has various negative effects. “One major disadvantage is the inability to handle unexpected expenses such as medical costs, house or car repairs,” she said. “Other disadvantages include increased use of credit and resulting credit costs, which can also impact credit scores, and the inability to save and prepare for retirement years.” Troullier listed other disadvantages. “You are illiquid with no emergency funds available,” she said. “When an emergency arises you may take money from investment vehicles, like your 401(k), and you will get penalized for early withdrawal at 10 percent and taxes are due. This money may cost you 30 to 40 percent to use.” She said another disadvantage is the lack of discretionary income left over for savings and investments. Both Troullier and Davis noted that stress related to finances can take a physical toll on a person. Troullier said in addition, “Financial issues are one of the major reasons why couples get divorced.” Mathews listed another drawback. “The disadvantage of living life this way is you are squandering the largest wealth building asset you have – your current income,” Mathews said. “During their working lifetime, most people will earn over 1 million dollars. The question is, how much of that million dollars will you have in the end?”

Will more money help?

Many people believe their financial problems will be solved if they earn more money. Troullier said that’s not automatically true. “Making more money will not decrease your chances of living paycheck to paycheck because no matter how much money you make, you must put parameters on your spending. The more one makes the more one spends,” Troullier said. Mathews agreed that earning more money isn’t always the answer. “There is an interesting phenomenon called Parkinson’s Law which states that your expenses rise to meet your income,” Mathews said. “If you have ever gotten a raise or paid off a debt, then, in theory, you should be financially better off. However, often times the extra money usually ends up getting absorbed by your bad financial habits and you never seem to get ahead.” Mathews said replacing bad habits with good habits is just one of the keys to becoming fiscally fit. “When it comes to being better off financially, it really boils down to making good financial decisions that lead you down a path to building wealth over time,” he said.

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

L EDITION

defendernetwork.com

13B

y e n o m g n i g a n a Tips on m v in g t to sto p li If yo u wa n e h c ck, e c k to p ay fro m p ayc h e n it a D a p s fro m A lg S o nya h e re a re ti nd M ath ews a v is , Lo n n ie . K n ow Tro u ll ie r. r sp e n d in g • Tra c k yo u u o fy r ry p e n ny o w h e re eve s. get m o n ey g o e o n th ly b u d m a sh li b a • E st re yo u it . M a ke su a n d st ic k to d th ays/ c ati o n s, b ir in c lu d e va m e n t. d e n te rt a in n of h o li d ays a n ve a p o rt io sa y rl la u g e •R e. nt of yo u r in co m l a ss e ss m e a re a e k a •M a n d th e fi n a n c ia ll y re a u o y d. Set w h e re h ave c re ate u o y t a th g u id e h a b it s ia l g o a ls to c n a n fi ic re a li st io r. yo u r b e h a v debt u rs e lf o n a o y t u •P o u w il l a e l so th t y d o m n o ti re d u c ry fu n d s d is c re ti o n a h ave so m e e nts , so m a n d inve st li ze d . fo r sav in g s re can be a ls a o g r u o th at y u e a rn ss th a n yo • S p e n d le “N o,” lf e te ll yo u rs a n d le a rn to wo n ’t co n ti n u e to o, I su c h a s “N by ove rmy fu tu re je o p a rd ize it to sp e n d in g .” u se o f c re d • D e c re a se n o t c a p o st a n d im lowe r it s c of in co m e. r a m o u n ts • S ave m a jo

a s in o n ey su c h m d te c e p ve ra n ce, u n ex g m e n ts , se d ju s, e c n h e ri ta cco u nts / la ce in to a ly a cce se tc ., a n d p re n o t e a si a t a th s ie fa c il it in si b le. ti ve ways to in g • U se c re a rk o w s a m e, su c h c re a se in co extra jo b s.

n c ia l fro m a fi n a • G e t h e lp a l. sh o p o n p ro fe ss io n ss o r wo rk e • Ta k a c la e s. yo u r fi n a n c m a n a g in g a ke a c o m m d n a st e n o h yo u r • Be lf. In c lu d e e rs u o y to in th is m it m e n t ic a n t o th e r if n g si r o sp o u se exe rc is e.

Five lies to stop telling yourself FAMILY FEATURES

Americans have become accustomed to living a lifestyle accompanied by debt. According to the Federal Reserve, the total U.S. outstanding consumer debt was $3.33 trillion as of January 2015. This figure includes car loans, student loans and revolving debt, but not mortgages. “Sound and responsible financial management starts with facing the realities of our individual financial circumstances,” said Scott Smith, personal finance expert and president of CreditRepair.com. “Truthfully evaluating your income level, debt obligations, spending habits, savings habits and future financial goals will get you started on the right path to living a responsible financial life.” Smith recommends that consumers

he Houston area for over 80 years

stop telling themselves the following lies: “I don’t know what my credit score is, but that’s okay. I’ll only need it when I decide to buy my next car or finally purchase a new home.” It’s very important to know your credit score and responsibly manage it in every situation in life. Credit scores are not only used for securing a loan, but also for insurance pricing, job applications and rental agreements. “I’ll just take a little from my savings account, but I’ll pay it back next month.” Don’t borrow against yourself. Having an established savings plan is very important in every stage of life. If a circumstance comes up that demands you pull funds from your savings plan, make sure to get back on the savings train as quickly as possible. “Investing is too complicated and besides, only the rich get richer.” Most

of the time the “rich get richer” because of their discipline. Investing and saving is important for everyone, regardless of their current financial situation. “Maybe if I turn my voicemail off the debt collectors will stop calling.” Dealing with debt collectors can be very frustrating and sometimes even intimidating, but consumers have rights protecting them and debt collectors have laws that govern their ability to pester you. “I deserve a break. I’ll just charge my vacation and pay it back later.” Although circumstances sometimes arise that require the use of credit to cover unexpected expenses, those situations should be minimized as much as possible. If credit card debt is incurred, pay it off as soon as possible. The interest charged is a serious penalty and is not worth the instant gratification that a vacation or expensive pair of

4 5

14B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

Good credit:

defendernetwork.com

Establish, maintain and protect it from fraud

By CADENCE BANK

Credit is a necessary part of life for most people. From mortgages to car loans to credit cards, it’s common to borrow money to pay for the things you need. Your credit history is your financial track record. It shows your current level of debt and your access to credit, as well as your record for paying back loans and other debts. All of this information factors into your credit score – a number between 300 and 850 – that helps banks and other lenders determine what kind of borrower you will be. The higher your credit score, the better.

What can I do to improve my credit score?

Having good credit is essential. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to establish, improve or maintain a good credit score. • Have multiple credit cards, but don’t use them all. Your credit score looks at how much credit is available to you in relation to how much of that credit you’re using. It’s good to have credit available, but you don’t want to use a high percentage of it. • Pay off your credit cards every month. Carrying a balance not only costs you in interest, it increases your credit utilization, which can negatively affect your credit score. • Always pay your bills on time. Late payments can lower your credit score, and frequent late payments are a red flag for banks and other lenders. • The length of your credit history also is important. The longer you’ve had access to credit and used that credit responsibly, the better. Think twice before cancelling or closing an old credit card. Even if you don’t use it anymore, it could be helping your credit utilization ratio and adding valuable history to your overall credit picture. • Pay off credit cards first before making extra payments on installment loans. Not all credit is created equal. Credit cards affect your credit score differently than a mortgage or other installment loans. For example, having $600 in credit card debt can be a bigger issue than having $60,000 in student loans. Taking control of your credit history is the first step in securing your financial future. Once you have established a good credit history, you will be more likely to be approved for loans or lines of credit, and you may qualify for better interest rates.

How can I protect my good credit from fraud?

You’ve worked hard to build good credit, so it’s important to remain vigilant against threats that could impact your finances. Last year, fraud losses averaged more than $1,250 per person, according to a new study by Javelin Strategy and Research. Fraud can have a devastating effect on your financial situation, through both the risk of financial losses and by

negatively impacting your credit. Undetected fraudulent activity can lower your credit score, hurting your chances of getting approved for a loan. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can help protect yourself and your family from identity fraud. • The most important thing you can do is monitor your bank and credit card accounts closely. View your accounts online, and check your account statements carefully for unauthorized transactions. • Review your credit reports at least once a year. You can order a free copy of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com.

• Keep your financial and personal information in a secure place and shred sensitive papers – including bank and credit card statements and tax documents – before throwing them away. • Do not respond to unsolicited phone calls, emails or text messages requesting your personal or financial information, even if they seem official. These are called phishing scams and are designed to trick you into sharing private information. Remember, financial institutions will never contact their customers to ask for personal or account information. • When online, always look for the “closed lock” icon on the status bar of your Internet browser. This means encryption is being used on the webpage you’re viewing and the information you transmit is secure. Also, make sure “https://” is listed at the beginning of each web address page. The “s” verifies the security of the site. Today’s fraudsters are clever and sophisticated. Know how to spot scams and what steps to take if you become a victim. You can learn more by visiting Cadence Bank’s Fraud Information Center at cadencebank.com.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

MORTGAGE

The key to your dream home. Naturally, you want the best rate possible for your mortgage. That’s our goal, too. What’s more, as a full-service mortgage lender, we’ll work with you to make sure you have the best loan for your personal situation. Our loan products include: •Conventional Mortgages

•FHA Loans

•Jumbo Loans

•VA Loans

•Purchases

•USDA Rural Housing Loans

•Refinances

•Construction Loans

Call us today to learn more about the mortgage loan options available to you at Cadence. Dianna Davis

Fariba Khosravi

Trey Narendorf

NMLS# 235142

NMLS# 532056

NMLS# 760149

Mortgage Loan Originator

713-334-3135 dianna.davis@cadencebank.com

713-334-3133 fariba.khosravi@cadencebank.com

Visit Me Online diannadavis.cadencebank.com

Visit Me Online faribakhosravi.cadencebank.com

Mortgage Loan Originator 713-334-3124 trey.narendorf@cadencebank.com Visit Me Online treynarendorf.cadencebank.com

Dick Flynn

Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS# 417135

713-334-2267 dick.flynn@cadencebank.com Visit Me Online dickflynn.cadencebank.com

All loans are subject to credit approval. Loan terms and availability subject to change. Consult a Cadence Bank Loan Officer for complete details. Cadence Mortgage is a Division of Cadence Bank, N.A. NMLS# 525022

EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

15B

16B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

Consider SBA lending for a

small business loan By JEVAUGHN STERLING Amegy Bank

hether they are starting a new business, expanding an existing one or simply need additional working capital, many business owners are utilizing credit to grow their businesses. There are several ways to structure financing, but one option that has grown in popularity in recent years is Small Business Administration (SBA) lending. The SBA is a government agency that supports small businesses through a variety of channels, such as contracting, counselling, disaster relief assistance and its most widely known resource, SBA loan programs. The SBA does not provide loans directly, but guarantees default against a specific portion of the Jevaughn Sterling, Senior Vice loans made by banks and President Amegy Bank Texas other lenders that follow SBA guidelines. Business owners are using SBA loans for a variety of purposes, including starting a new business, acquiring another business, refinancing, construction, as well as the purchasing of real estate, equipment and inventories. These loans are intended to assist businesses to acquire financing on terms that are not available under traditional loan programs. Two of the most popular types of SBA loans are the 504 and 7a programs, both of which can be used by small businesses. Money acquired through 504 loans must be used to promote a public policy goal and promote the sound existence of a small business. These loans may be used to purchase real estate, finance construction, or purchase equipment with the goal of helping the business to create jobs. Participating banks can fund up to 50 percent of the 504 project while SBA funds up to 40 percent. The SBA portion is subject to a $5.5 million cap, and will support a total project as large as $13.75 million. This results in eligible businesses obtaining favorable financing terms with as little as 10 percent down payment, and long term fixed interest rates that are indexed to the US Treasury market. Financing secured through 7a loans can be used for the same purposes as SBA 504 loans; however, 7a loans may also be used for working capital, to open lines of credit and in some cases, refinancing. These loans are tied to the prime interest rate which can be fixed, and loan amounts are usually capped at $5 million.

There are advantages to both loan programs, and selecting the right one for your business will depend on many factors, including how much collateral the owner has, how much money is needed and the purpose of the financing, to name a few. The SBA eligibility requirements must be met in order to qualify for the loan programs. Businesses must be organized for profit, meet U.S. small business size standard, be an eligible type of business, and demonstrate a need for the guaranty. Applicants that meet the SBA eligibility requirements can obtain loan terms from participating SBA Preferred, Certified lenders, and Small Business Lending Companies (SBLCs). Loan terms, amount of the loan, interest rate and credit approval will vary by institution. Preferred SBA lenders, like Amegy Bank, are most experienced and have delegated authority to approve, process, and service an SBA loan without prior SBA review. Preferred lenders perform a brief

eligibility review and obtain SBA guaranty approval within hours which favors the small business by simplifying the loan application process. When evaluating financing options, ask your banker if SBA loans are the right fit for your business. SBA loan programs make it easier for lenders to say yes. Jevaughn Sterling is a Senior Vice President at Amegy Bank of Texas. Throughout his 11-year career at Amegy Bank, he proactively develops relationships with privately held businesses to become a strategic partner in identifying and implementing effective capital structures. As SBA Department Manager, he and his team leverage the public private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide capital to new and fast growing companies in Texas. The information contained herein is believed to be accurate but in no event should it be construed as legal advice. This information is subject to change from time to time. Please consult the Small Business Administration for further information. Amegy Bank financing options are subject to credit and bank approval requirements. Terms and conditions apply.

defendernetwork.com â&#x20AC;˘ Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

The right loan to fit your business needs.

The right team to help you grow your business. At Amegy, our success is built on the relationships we keep. Our experienced SBA team makes every decision locally – offering you a more simplified loan process and a quicker turnaround.

PREFERRED SBA LENDER

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

17B

18B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

Know the facts about

life insurance

FAMILY FEATURES

ccording to a study done by LIMRA, a nonprofit life insurance industry research organization, as many as 40 percent of U.S. households would have immediate trouble meeting household expenses if a primary wage earner were to pass away today. The study also showed that a majority of Gen X and Y consumers believe they need more life insurance than they currently have. Yet according to LIMRA, 30 percent of Americans have no life insurance at all and more than half of those who do are inadequately covered. At every stage of life, life insurance is an important consideration for protecting your family and your assets. As much as you may not want to think about it, you cannot afford to avoid making these important preparations. Life insurance can be vital to helping your loved ones maintain their standard of living after your death. If you have dependents — a spouse, domestic partner, children and/or an aging parent — you should ensure that your retirement pension and savings are sufficient to secure their future. Many Americans think that they can’t afford life insurance, especially when some are struggling to balance the daily and monthly expenses that most households face. But life insurance is often more affordable than you might think. In fact, more than 80 percent of Americans overestimate the cost of life insurance. Most people who are uninsured believe that a 20-year, $250,000 term life policy for a healthy 30-year-old would cost $400 per year. But the real cost would actually be only a quarter of that, or about the same cost as your Netflix subscription each month. If you’re unsure about life insurance, you’re not alone. Many individuals are confused about how life insurance works. The truth is not all life insurance plans are created equally. In fact, there is a whole host of different types of life insurance to fit your budget, lifestyle and needs. One of the most common types is term life insurance, which offers affordable coverage for a specific number of years and is great if you want to provide coverage while you pay off certain debts or until you’ve fulfilled some anticipated responsibilities, such as until

Benefits offered Life insurance can provide an array of benefits to dependents such as: 1. Assistance in paying off debts such as a mortgage, auto loan or credit card 2. Coverage of daily living expenses 3. Help with saving for expenses such as college tuition, weddings or starting a business 4. Paying for funeral expenses your children are out of college. However, while term life insurance is an affordable way to get maximum coverage, it also increases in cost after the specified period, so it may not be cost effective in the long run. On the other hand, permanent life insurance policies are ones that do not expire. They protect your loved ones permanently. These plans typically offer more long-term security and may even accumulate cash value

over time. While permanent life insurance may initially cost more than term life insurance, they can also be more cost-effective in the long term. Depending on your responsibilities and financial situation, the best life insurance plan for you may be term insurance, permanent or one of the many other options offered by insurance companies. Many leading insurance companies are making it easier than ever to put life insurance within reach. And some companies have new products for Americans who otherwise might not have easy access to life insurance plans. In addition to expanding their coverage to include families who may traditionally be underinsured, major life insurance companies have also worked to develop tools, such as insurance premium calculators, that help you select the type of life insurance that is right for your needs and concerns. It may seem complicated and you may not want to think about it while you’re in the prime of your life, but life insurance is easier to obtain and less expensive than you might think. There are several helpful tools and information available to help you find sufficient means to provide security for your families and loved ones. Picking life insurance shouldn’t be a burden but an easy process. You should be able to enjoy the aging process and eliminate the unknown when it comes to life insurance.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

19B

Digital banking transforms an industry

By CHASE BANK

oday’s customers expect to be able to transact with their bank whenever and wherever they choose, whether that’s through a superior digital experience, a convenient ATM or a neighborhood branch. Every experience needs to be personal, easy and fast. “Ultimately it’s about empowering people to live the lives they want,” said Donna Vieira, Chief Marketing Officer for Chase Consumer Banking. “Our role is to make it easier for customers by allowing them to bank on their terms.” Mobile banking is changing quickly. Customers can now use their smart phones to pay bills, send money to another person, transfer money, check account balances — and even deposit checks. Consumers are leading the way by showing how much they want these new and convenient options. On average, Chase added about 18,000 new mobile users every day in 2014. Almost 20 million Chase customers use the bank’s mobile app, up 20 percent

from last year. “It’s the way our customers want to bank,” said Vieira. “We decided we were going to show people how fun and easy it is to do digital banking.” Online banking, which uses a computer instead of a smart phone, also is growing in popularity and capability. For instance, Chase Online Bill Pay allows customers to pay almost any bill without the hassle of

writing a check. Just add your payee and then schedule onetime or recurring payments. Once your payees have been added, customers can make payments on the go with the Chase Mobile app. Online and mobile banking can help customers bank more safely and securely. Chase offers a wide range of account alerts that help customers monitor their finances and help avoid overdrafts. Customers can sign up for email or text notifications alerting them of low balances, large transactions and other account activity. Alert settings can be personalized and are flexible for the customers’ wants and needs. We know our customers still want to come into the branch when they need advice or support. But for a basic transaction, they increasingly prefer to do it themselves. With mobile banking, your bank now fits in your pocket, allowing customers to do their banking virtually anywhere, anytime. Visit Chase.com or visit your nearest Chase branch to learn more.

CHASE IS PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD

SO YOU CAN MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE. Visit Your Neighborhood Chase Branch Today.

20B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

A focus on church lending

By RAY VITULLI Allegiance Bank Texas

s we know, in most cases, the churches in our communities serve not only as places of worship, but as true community centers, providing education, recreation, nourishment, fellowship and numerous other services for its congregation and guests. Because of the ever increasing demand for these ministries and outreach programs, many churches find themselves in need of expansion. From the sanctuary to meeting rooms to fellowship halls to recreation space to parking, a growing church is constantly in need of capital improvements. Allegiance Bank has extensive experience with church lending. If your church has expansion needs or even if you have an existing loan and would like to explore refinancing options, an Allegiance banker can guide you through the process. There are a few rules Ray Vitulli, President Allegiance Bank Texas of thumb to consider when determining the borrowing capacity of your church. The items listed below are simple, but very important to follow so that borrowing levels are manageable for the church and its congregation: • The level of debt should not exceed three times the annual revenue of the church. • The annual debt service (principal plus interest) should not exceed 35 percent of the annual revenue of the church. • The level of debt should not exceed 75 percent of the appraised value of the church. • The amortization of the loan (or repayment terms) should not exceed 20 years. • The church should maintain cash reserves equal to at least 90 days of fixed operating expenses. As we go through the above analysis, some items may give conflicting results. For example, most likely, the annual revenue test, debt service test and loan to appraised value test will not produce the same answer. In those cases, the results are reconciled in order to determine a final conclusion that makes sense given the financial condition of the church. Allegiance Bank enjoys banking relationships with churches all across Houston and the surrounding area. Whether your church is in need of a new building, expansion of existing buildings, new furniture and equipment, or a refinance of existing loans, Allegiance Bank has the expertise to provide you with a banking solution. Michelle Droubi with Allegiance Bank recently provided financing for The Daily Bread Church in Northwest Houston. Describing his experience with Allegiance Bank, Pastor Ellis Powell said, “I have been involved in some form of financing, corporate contracts, appraisals, and approvals for over 20 years and I must say that working with Michelle at Allegiance Bank was

by far the smoothest and most seamless partnership that I have ever experienced. “Allegiance Bank really pledged their allegiance to The Daily Bread Church and partnered with us to help the extraordinary people in our community.” We value the relationship with Pastor Ellis and The Daily Bread Church and would appreciate the opportunity to visit with you and your church. With 16 full-service banking offices in Houston, Katy, Bellaire and Clear Lake, Allegiance Bank serves

the needs of owner-operated businesses, churches, organizations and individuals throughout greater Houston. We offer a variety of traditional loan and deposit products and pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service. What’s more, our dedication to community is unmatched. If your church is ready for expansion or growth, stop by an Allegiance Bank office, or visit www.allegiancebanktexas.com and experience The Allegiance Way today.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

21B

AllegianceBank T

NEVER TAKE SLOW FOR AN ANSWER. At Allegiance Bank Texas, we understand time really is money. That’s why we empower each of our lenders with the agility and ability to get you the answers you need right away – often, the very same day. Quick response means you can take decisive action to get your business on the fast track to success.

AllegianceBank T

MAKING A DIFFERENCE, TOGETHER.

281.894.3200 | AllegianceBankTexas.com/def

ABTCO-052 Defender SpecialEdition 9.75x13 MECH.indd 1

4/15/15 9:17 AM

22B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

Five smart spending tips

for tax refunds

FAMILY FEATURES

or savings-savvy consumers, tax season means getting creative with how to use your federal tax refund check. The IRS says the average tax refund issued so far in 2015 tops $3,500. While it can be tempting to hit up the mall and blow through your money the second that big check arrives, smart spenders find ways to turn a refund into a “MeFund” through thrifty money-management decisions that keep cash in their pocket. From investing in yourself to paying down debt and being a smarter spender and saver, let tax refund season be your time to get ahead. By using that tax refund check wisely, you’ll set yourself up for financial prosperity in 2015 and beyond. Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, “the Money Coach,” and personal finance expert Julie Stav suggest five smart ways to stretch your refund check, making your money go further and enhancing your quality of life:

Invest in yourself. In today’s economy, it’s wise to invest in your education, your career and your health. Each will benefit you personally and professionally. Consider using some of your tax refund check to take a continuing education class or attend a business networking event. Similarly, invest in your health by signing up for a gym, taking yoga classes, or getting the aid of a personal trainer. A healthy body can boost creativity and productivity – and hopefully lower your long-term healthcare costs too.

Pay off debt. A recent study from the American Psychological Association showed money is a top cause of stress for Americans. To help rid yourself of money worries, reduce debt with your tax refund. Pay off a credit card bill, wipe out a lump sum on loans, or make an extra mortgage payment to help toward becoming debt free.

Spend wisely by taking advantage of seasonal promotions. If you are going to spend on something you want, do it the smart way. Take advantage of seasonal promotions in order to keep much of your refund in your pocket, such as a discounted cell phone plan.

Budget for larger purchases. If you’re thinking about spending your tax refund on a vacation or must-have electronics, be sure to first

budget realistically. Remember, a vacation won’t just involve travel expenses and hotel accommodations. Be sure to factor in food, entertainment and miscellaneous costs such as tips, souvenirs and parking. Before using your refund on a big-ticket purchase, you should also use helpful budgeting tools to monitor your monthly spending. Mint.com is an online and mobile budgeting software tool that can help you track your spending.

Create a “MeFund.” A final way to put your money to good use is to boost your savings. Create a “MeFund” as a way to save more every month. Whatever your goal, you’ll reach it a lot sooner if you save exclusively for it.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

FINANCIAL

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

23B

Older adults should beware of scam artists

nyone can be a victim of financial fraud, but older adults are particularly at risk. Among the reasons: Scam artists and thieves know that many senior citizens have accumulated money and other assets throughout the years. Those who commit elder fraud range from loved ones – family members, friends or caregivers – to complete strangers. Here are practical tips from the FDIC on how to protect yourself or someone else.

“As difficult as this may be, reporting the incident is the only opportunity you have to recover some or all of your loss,” said Irma Matias, an FDIC community affairs specialist. “By telling your story you also could prevent the perpetrators from taking advantage of others.”

Avoid wire transfer scams

Remember the red flags of a fraud. Some of the classic warning signs include: • An unsolicited phone call, e-mail or other request that you pay a large amount of money before receiving the goods or services. • An unexpected e-mail or call requesting your bank account number, perhaps one asking you for the information printed at the bottom of one of your checks. • An offer that seems too good to be true, like an investment “guaranteeing” a return that’s way above the competition. • Someone expressing a new or unusual interest in your finances. • Pressure to send funds quickly by wire transfer • The other party insists on secrecy.

Research a new financial advisor before investing money or paying for services. Though the vast majority of brokers, financial planners and other professionals are honest and reputable, some commit fraud. Before committing to working with a financial advisor, confirm that he or she is properly registered or licensed and has a clean record.

Be careful who you give the legal authority to access or manage your money. One way older adults can have someone else make financial decisions and transact business for them is by having a legal document called a power of attorney (POA). An attorney can help you decide the right type of POA for your needs. “Only give POA authority to someone you trust and who understands your wishes and preferences,” suggested Luke W. Reynolds, chief of the FDIC’s Outreach and Program Development Section. “Also consider adding oversight, such as by requiring two people you trust to agree on decisions within a reasonable time frame or having a third party review transactions that have been made.” If you decide to use a POA, contact your bank and other financial institutions to confirm they will accept the document you plan to use. They may have their own form and require that customers use that.

Protect your personal information. Never provide Social Security numbers, bank account information, PINs, passwords and other sensitive information in response to an unsolicited call, fax, letter, e-mail or text message, no matter how genuine the situation may appear.

Closely monitor credit card bills and bank statements. Look at your statements as soon as they arrive and report unauthorized purchases, withdrawals or anything suspicious, regardless of how small or large the dollar amount. Immediately report a fraud or theft to someone you trust as well as the proper authorities. Many older people make the mistake of not telling loved ones or not contacting the police or other law enforcement agencies when they’ve been victimized. Perhaps some are embarrassed to admit that they were “misled” and lost money. Others have fears of losing their independence.

Americans of all ages are urged to beware of wire transfer scams. “Crooks like their victims to use wire transfers because the money moves fast and they can take the money and run before the victim discovers the truth,” said Michael Benardo, manager of the FDIC’s Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section. How can you protect yourself against wire fraud? • Never wire money to people you don’t know, regardless of how convincing or enticing their story may be. Scammers often win their victims’ confidence with some “bait,” such as a work-at-home offer, a great deal on a product for sale, or news that you have won some kind of lottery • If you’re being pressed to make a decision or send money fast, it’s probably a sign of a scam. • Walk away from any offer from a stranger who asks you to deposit a check into your bank account and instructs you to wire any of that money to someone else, perhaps in another country. Later you will find out that the check was fake and you are out all of the money you wired. • If you are selling something online, be wary of a request by a “buyer” to wire you the money because that may be a ruse to get your bank account information. For more information visit www. consumer.ftc.gov.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

24B

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

JUDGE VANESSA

GILMORE

Balancing the Scales of Justice & Life

MAY 13

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

faces

of Black Houston

G-DASH

Business Genius of a Houston Rap Empire

MAY 20

JUSTIN “LUCKY”

WILLIAMS

From Hustler to Hero Feeding the Hungry

MAY 27

DR. JOHN

HUGHES

Vietnam Vet’s Life Spared to Save Others

JUNE 3

TREMOND

BAINS

Entrepreneur Grants Second Chances

Season Premiere SPRING 2015

RECEPTION

Thursday, May 7 | 6-8 p.m. Hilton Americas Hotel SKYLINE BALLROOM – 24TH FLOOR 1600 Lamar, Houston, Texas 77010

YOU ARE INVITED! Dressy Attire | Cash Bar | Hors D’oeurves

To RSVP: http://bit.do/facesspring2015

JUNE 10

VELMA

TRAYHAM

Full-time Diva & CEO Builds Bodacious Brands

JUNE 17

HOUSTON’S LEADING BLACK INFORMATION SOURCE

#defendereveryday #defendernetwork

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

sports

What do Texans need in NFL draft? “[Peters’] size and grit allow him to battle larger WR’s at the line of scrimmage and overhe NFL Draft is one week away and the Texan power smaller receivers,” Ware scouting department has been working oversaid. “He’s a good underneath to time to make sure their draft board of college intermediate defender at his position but tends to prospects is concise. Simply stated, a team’s lose defenders deep at times. Character issues draft board has rankings of all of the draft’s eligible continue to follow him but they are things I players, with the No. 1 prospect at the top regardless of don’t see as major that would keep teams from position. drafting him high. He’s matured…” The invariable question teams confront is whether If the Texans are in the mood to wheel and they draft a player according to need or select the best deal, this would be a good year to do so. The player available according to their draft board. team could trade down from the 16th selection for Texan GM Rick Smith and staff have done an a later first-round slot. This would allow them to admirable job during free agency shoring up areas of pick up additional mid-round draft selections and still concern for the team. With the 16th pick in the first acquire a quality player later in the first round. round, the Texans most assuredly won’t have a chance Two players who could be available late in the first at quarterbacks Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. round are Miami wideout The team will have a Phillip Dorsett or Texas choice of blue chip players A&M offensive tackle in the first round that can be Cedric Ogbuehi. The late Stuart Scott given key contributors in the 2015 Dorsett (5-feetLeland award season. 10, 185) is an exploThe greatest position sive receiver who of need for the Texans is at linebacker, particularly the turned heads when he ran a 4.33 forty at the NFL inside linebacker position. Last year free agent acquisiScouting Combine. He followed that up with an tion Mike Mohamed performed admirably at one of astounding 4.27 at the Miami Pro Day. the inside positions, while Brian Cushing struggled to He reminds many of the Indianapolis regain his former Pro Bowl form. Colts’ T.Y. Hilton. One linebacker who should be available to the Ware said Dorsett has treTexans at pick 16 is Kentucky’s Bud Dupree. mendous speed to take the top off a ESPN college football expert and Texans radio defense and excellent body control color analyst Andre Ware said at 6-feet-4 and 265 to make tough catches. pounds (4.6 forty), Dupree’s size and speed make him “He leaves defenders behind the perfect outside LB in a 3-4 defense. in man-to-man situations,” Ware “He has excellent quick twitch and change of direc- said. “He’s still a work in progress tion to reroute himself to the QB. He’s also versatile vs. zone defenses. Route running enough to move inside and give a defense more speed can certainly improve, as he’s not on the field,” Ware said. a finished product in this area. [He Smith, a former college cornerback at Purdue, tends] to rely on his speed at times a believes you can never have enough quality at the posilittle too much; excellent hands.” tion. Johnathan Joseph has one year remaining on his Aggie Cedric Ogbuehi (6-feet-5, 306) contract and Kareem Jackson just signed a long-term had been rated as one of the top four tackles deal. Could this be the time to draft Joseph’s successor? in the nation, but an ACL injury caused his stock If so, look no further than Washington cornerto tip slightly. He would be an outstanding value late in back Marcus Peters (5-feet-11, 197). He was generally the first round. regarded as the top corner in the draft class before the Ware said Ogbuehi is a risk worth exploring. season, but was kicked off the Washington squad in “He’s a versatile, strong O lineman,” Ware said. “He November due to what is described as extreme acts of can play just about every position on the OL and did while immaturity. at Texas A&M. He has excellent lower body strength, and If Texan management is convinced that Peters has power that allows him to move defenders. If a team is grown up he would be an outstanding complement to willing to gamble early and wait for him to fully heal, they the team’s secondary. would be getting a 10-year starter.”

By Max Edison Defender

Bud Dupree from Kentucky is a linebacker with size and speed.

defendernetwork.com

Cedric Ogbuehi from Texas A&M is a versatile offensive tackle.

Marcus Peters, a cornerback from Washington, has great cover skills.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | DEFENDER

h.s.zone

sportsbriefs

Wilson closing in on prize for Yates “I wasn’t applying myself at practice like I should have been and it showed up in the meets,” Wilson said. “In the last 50 meters of a race, you can tell which runners have the L.C. Wilson doesn’t want people to be deceived by his most heart. That’s what I lacked.” customary smile. The Yates High School senior track and So the four-year varsity letterman rededicated himself field standout says he takes things seriously. Yet the smile to his sport over the past 12 months and put the necessary represents what the youngest of 16 brothers and sisters was time and effort into preparation. The results are starting to taught at a very young age. show much to the chagrin of his competition. “My mother always told me to keep a smile on my face At the recent District 20-5A meet held at Barnett Stabecause it might save my life one day,” Wilson said. “She dium, Wilson won the gold medal in the boys 800-meter run believes that you never know with a time of two minutes, what kind of day a person is 5.95 seconds. He also harhaving so if you just smile, it vested gold in the 400-meter Standout runner couldn’t will mean something positive dash with a clocking of 51.36 make middle school track squad to them.” seconds. I Over the past year Wilson In addition, Wilson ran has learned another one of life’s meaningful credos – hard the scratch (leadoff) leg on the Yates 4x400 meter relay unit work pays off. that finished second (3:36.62) to North Forest (3:34.73). The Wilson admits that last year when he finished second in Yates boys won the team title by a whopping 45 points over the district 800-meter run competition and runner-up in the North Forest (196.50 to 151). 400-meter dash, he was relying on talent alone. “My coach told me if I run hard at practice then I’ll run hard at the meets and the results will come,” Wilson said. “If I’m behind, I go get the next man in front of me.” When Wilson was younger, he liked to run recreationally just to clear his head. He began running track competitively in middle school and by the time he got to Yates in the ninth grade, he was competing in the two-mile and one-mile events. “I wanted to compete in the shorter races and in order to do that I had to improve my speed,” Wilson said. “Now the speed is there along with the work ethic. That’s where the heart comes in. “Now I want to win at the regional meet and cap my senior year off by competing against the best at the state meet in Austin,” he said. By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

defendernetwork.com

Facts about L.C. Wilson Birth date – Dec. 30, 1996 Birth sign – Capricorn Favorite subjects – History, social studies Possible career – Judge or doctor World problem to solve – Hunger Favorite color – Scarlet Favorite meal – Pork chops, neck bones, mustard greens, cornbread, pecan pie

Lamar girls dominate Chanell O’Conner, Julia Heymach and Chase Martin were all double gold-medal winners for Lamar High School at the Houston ISD varsity track and field meet held at Barnett Stadium. O’Conner won the District 20-6A girls’ 100-meter dash in a time of 12.12 seconds. When action was suspended due to inclement weather, O’Conner came back the next day to win the 200-meter dash with a clocking of 25.31 seconds. Heymach has been one of the nation’s top-ranked high school distance runners all season. The sophomore won the 1,600-meter run in a time of 4:43.99 and returned to claim the 3,200-meter run gold medal in 10:53.24. Martin swept both hurdles event with 14.73 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles and 45.10 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles.

Cinco Ranch bid ends The Cinco Ranch girls’ varsity soccer team won 18 consecutive games at one point en route to an overall mark of 24-2. The Cougars were eliminated in the state semifinals (1-0) by Dallas Highland Park with a 4-3 edge in the shootout round. For the second year in a row, the season ended in the state soccer tournament. A Highland Park freshman goalkeeper denied the final shot by Cinco Ranch to seal the victory and send the Scots to a fourth consecutive title game appearance. The Cinco Ranch boys got a step further by defeating Arlington Sam Houston 2-1 in the state semifinals before succumbing to Brownsville Rivera 2-0 in the Class 6A state title game at Georgetown’s Birkelbach Field. The boys went undefeated (22-1-4) until the last day of the season.

Peterson back in NFL Native Texan Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings was reinstated as an active NFL player, and the league said Peterson could “participate in all scheduled activities with the Vikings.” In a letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell, Peterson was informed that he is expected to fulfill his remaining obligations to authorities in Minnesota and Texas, as well additional commitments he made to the NFL regarding ongoing counseling and treatment as recommended by medical advisors. The team issued a brief statement that said, “The Minnesota Vikings have been informed by the NFL that Adrian Peterson has been reinstated. We look forward to Adrian re-joining the Vikings.” Peterson was suspended without pay last November 18 for what the NFL called “abusive discipline” of his 4-year-old son.

Texas Bowl makes donation The AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl recently presented a check for $150,000 to the DePelchin Children’s Center. The donation came from the proceeds of the 2014 bowl game. The gift was the largest in bowl history and marked the fourth time that the Bowl contributed $100,000 or more to DePelchin. Donations have previously exceeded $100,000 in 2009, 2013 and 2014. DePelchin was named as the bowl’s official charitable beneficiary in 2006. Over its nine-year history, the game has donated nearly $850,000 to DePelchin. Founded in 1892, the children’s center is the largest and most comprehensive provider of children’s social and mental health services in the Houston area.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

business

defendernetwork.com

IRS audit: Is your small business at risk? Most business owners shudder at the mention of the word “audit.” While your risk of being audited is low according to the IRS commissioner, it’s still scary to think you may find yourself under the microscope. Knowing your risk factors can help put you more at ease. You can also be better prepared to face an audit if you carefully track income and expenses. Here are five factors that impact audit risk from the SBA. 1. Entity type – The way you organize your business from a legal standpoint impacts your audit risk. Statistics show that an S corporation or partnership (including a limited liability company filing a partnership return) had a smaller chance of being audited in the government’s fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2014 than a sole proprietorship. Being a sole proprietor places greater need on owners to maintain good books and records and follow tax rules. 2. Income – The amount of gross receipts (fees, sales receipts, and other earnings before any deductions) impacts the audit risk of sole proprietorships. Data from the government’s 2014 fiscal year shows that businesses with gross receipts under $25,000 had 1 percent of returns audited. Businesses with gross receipts of $200,000 or more had 2.1 percent of returns audited. 3. Location – IRS offices are staffed differently in various locations across the country, enabling some offices to conduct more audits than others. There is no current data on how this impacts your audit risk. In

collect and what it actually collects. There is an audit guide specifically for cash intensive businesses such as beauty shops, car washes and laundromats (visit www.irs. gov). A final note: some people believe that taking a home office deduction is an audit red flag. There are no statistics or other evidence to show this is true. According to the SBA, 52 percent of all businesses in the U.S. are home-based, so it’s not likely that the IRS is going after every one of them.

classified prior years, however, certain districts such as Houston and Manhattan were known to have higher audit risks. 4. Deductions – The type and amount of deductions claimed can flag a return for audit. Because travel and entertainment expenses deducted for business may arguably be more personal in nature, the IRS looks carefully at these write-offs to make certain they are legitimate and have been adequately substantiated. Also IRS computers are purported to select returns of businesses that take unusually high deductions relative to their income. Once selected, an agent may look a little more closely before deciding whether to commence an examination. Businesses should take every deduction to which they are entitled. However, they must have required documentation for them. 5. Type of business. Cash businesses are suspected of omitting income because they can; there is little or no paper trail. In fact, cash businesses are said to be a large part of the more than $450 million tax gap, which is the spread between what the government thinks it should

Contractors program accepting applications The Construction Contractors’ College (CCC) is seeking new applicants. The deadline to apply for the program is Friday, May 1. Sponsored by Capital One Bank and the Kingdom Builders’ Center, CCC is a free, sixmonth development program designed to equip and prepare qualified small- and mid-sized business owners in construction fields with the knowledge and guidance they need to bid and win major contracts and then thrive after acquiring them. To qualify, candidates need to have been in business at least one year and have operated a construction-related company. The inaugural class culminated in February with the graduation of 11 entrepreneurs. Some of the graduates have successfully secured large contracts since completing the program. CCC’s goal is to create a larger and stronger

pool of local contractors able to keep Houston growing. The comprehensive program exposes businesses to the opportunities and information they need to take their companies to the next level. Sessions include developing and implementing business plans, understanding and preparing financial reports, creating an internal support area, bond readiness, successful bidding and marketing. Each small business receives one-on-one mentoring, and mentors continue to make themselves available to contractors for support following completion of the course. Graduates who qualify also have access to more than $750,000 in funding to assist in expanding their businesses. The CCC’s next session will begin June 9. For more information call 713-726-2519 or email construction.college@thekbc.com.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT PEDESTRIAN WAYFINDING IMPROVEMENTS The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive sealed bids for the Pedestrian Wayfinding Improvements project, located in Downtown Houston. Bids will be received until 11:00 AM, local time on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 by the Director of Planning & Design, Downtown District, 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010. Bids received after this time will not be accepted. Beginning 11:00 AM, Monday, April 27, 2015, Bid Documents may be purchased for $50 per set from the Downtown District by cash; or by cashier's check, certified check, or money order (payable to the Houston Downtown Management District); or by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover). The cost for up to two sets will be refunded to Bidders who submit a valid bid for this Project and return bidding documents to the Downtown District. Addenda are free of charge and will be distributed by email to those who purchase Bid Documents and attend the Pre-bid Conference. Bid Documents may also be examined at plan rooms of the Minority Business Development Center (2302 Fannin Street, #165, Houston, TX 77002), Amtek Information and Plan Room (4001 Sherwood Lane, Houston, TX 77092) or viewed online at isqft.com. A MANDATORY Pre-bid Conference will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, in the Downtown District’s Conference Room, 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010. All bidders (general contractors) are invited to attend. Bids will be ruled non-responsive if received from a bidder who did not attend the Pre-bid Conference. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the Pre-bid Conference. Bidders shall comply with City Ordinance 95-336 (March 29, 1995) and Exec. Order No.1- 2 (June 14, 1995), and City of Houston Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance Division Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Procedures (June 1995). The successful Bidder will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an M/WDBE participation goal of 20 percent.

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 23 | 2015 | D EFENDER

Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

HCC STATE OF THE COLLEGE……..Houston Community College Hermann’s orthopedics and sports medicine programs. More than 1,800 guests enjoyed Chancellor Dr. Cesar Maldonado made it clear that HCC would be a leader in dinner and danced to the sounds of Atlanta-based band Simply Irresistible. In attendance providing high quality, innovative education during his recent State of the College were Memorial Hermann Health System President and CEO Dan Wolterman and address. The monumental plan was rolled out on a grand screen that stretched across wife Lori Wolterman, Dawn and Walter Lowe, M.D., Dwight Howard, James one side of the room and magnified the large-scale approach to creating centers of Harden, Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, Steve and Leticia Trauber, Liz Brown, Tonya excellence. A cross-section of educators, community leaders, and Clyde Drexler, Haley Hernan and Joseph Fasullo........ politicians, vendors and concerned citizens watched in awe CARTER BABY SHOWER……..A shower celebration was Defender TOP EVENTS held for Erica Lee Carter and husband Dr. Roy Carter as they as different stakeholders explained the importance of HCC More photos on defendernetwork.com educating the local workforce. Seen among the crowd were HCC get ready for twins. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ Foundation President Shawn Taylor and former president Ginger will become a grandmother, helped celebrate. The program began with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m. Blanton, Gina Luna, and community leaders Charles White, with the introduction of the couple, followed by dinner, musical Gerald Womack, Wanda Adams, Davetta Mills, Dr. James entertainment, a tribute to historic mothers and shower games. The Ward, Carl Davis, Larry Payne, Ft. Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage event was emceed by FOX 26 news anchor Melinda Spaulding. Guests included and Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher……..MEMORIAL HERMANN GALA……..The grandfather-to-be Dr. Elwyn Lee, State Rep. Sylvester Turner, Carolyn Scantleberry, Memorial Hermann Foundation caused “hoopla” at its annual Circle of Life Gala with Kim Roxie, Rosa Broussard, Elaine Oliver, Yemi Sholotan, Barbara Jackson, Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and the Rockets players. The sold-out event Jannie Moore, Rhonda Arnold, Michael Green, Tony Scott and Duni Hebron. Some was a huge success and raised over $3 million. All proceeds will benefit Memorial of the shower gifts were donated to expectant mothers who are less fortunate.

Wanda Adams, Dr. Adriana Tamez, Dr. James Ward and Dr. Cesar Maldonado

Clyde and Tonya Drexler

Shawn Taylor, Gina Luna and Ginger Blanton

Gerald and Anita Smith

Janie Reyes, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Erica Lee Carter

Melinda Spaulding, Dr. Roy and Erica Carter

Robert Glaser, Davetta Mills, Gerald Womack and Larry Payne

Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell

State Rep. Sylvester Turner and Stacy J and the Unified Praise Dance Company

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

DEFENDER | APRIL 23 | 2015

defendernetwork.com